A six-foot rabbit meets a throwback country artist in this week’s highlights

Hey there, time traveller!This article was published 15/10/2013 (1150 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At first glance, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s choice of Mary Chase’s Harvey to open its John Hirsch Mainstage season may seem an odd one.

Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells the story of Elwood P. Dowd, a kind-hearted, friendly guy who claims his constant companion is an invisible, six-foot rabbit. His sister, Veta, thinks he’s crazy and tries to have him committed to a sanatorium. Comedy ensues and it turns out Elwood might just not be crazy after all.

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Canadian country throwback Daniel Romano plays The Folk Exchange on Oct. 19.

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Harvey opens at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s John Hirsch Mainstage on Oct. 17

In today’s mixed-up, full on, 24-7 world, Harvey may just be a timely reminder that sometimes it’s a good idea to stop and smell the roses — or talk to your invisible rabbit pal.

MTC’s production of Harvey — which was turned into a classic film starring James Stewart in 1950 — opens Oct. 17 and runs through Nov. 9.

For ticket information and showtimes, visit mtc.mb.ca or call the MTC box office at 204-942-6537. If you’re 21 or under, a limited number of rush seats will be made available for just $15 at noon on the day of each performance (unless the show is sold out).

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We knew it was coming.

Fans of Canadian indie music may remember Daniel Romano as a member of Attack in Black, or as one of the three artists on the wonderful 2009 folk/roots album Daniel, Fred and Julie (with Frederick Squire and Julie Doiron).

For the past three years, though, Romano has slowly been turning himself into an updated version of Hank Williams, wearing flamboyant Nudie suits and making the kind of "hard country" music that true denizens of the form welcome with open ears and arms.

With his latest album, Come Cry With Me, Romano may well have completed the transformation, as it’s a weeping twangfest that’s well worth a listen. Or you can hear him perform material from it when he plays Oct. 19 at The Folk Exchange.

Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $15 at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store, 211 Bannatyne Ave., or call 204-231-1377.

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The Manitoba Seniors Music Festival claims to be "the world’s only music festival dedicated to seniors and friends in the audience and on the stage."

Whether that’s true or not, the month-long event is a marvellous undertaking. All shows are being held at the Lutheran Church of the Cross at 560 Arlington St.

This week’s shows feature the Winnipeg Golden Chordsmen Chorus and the Westside Jazz Band on Oct. 16; and Valerie Pearson & Friends, Ken Peters & Friends and the Murray Riddell Big Band on Oct. 19.

Shows continue through Oct. 28. See manitobaseniorsmusicfestival.ca for details.

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